Rod clamp



Feb. 19, 1946.

H. SY MONS ROD CLAMP Filed April .10, 1944 Patented Feb. 19, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE ROD CLAMP Arthur H. Symons, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 10, 1944, Serial No. 530,284

14 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to clamps for use in tying together and holding against separation upstanding laterally spaced forms for concrete walls or like structures. More particularly the invention relates to that type of clamp which is known in the building trade as a rod clamp, is adapted to be applied to one end of a combined tie and spreader rod extending between and through the forms, and comprises: i 1) an elongated clamping bracket which is adapted to fit against the outer face of the form through which the one end of the rod extends, and has in the inner wall thereof an aperture for said one end of the rod; and (2) a clamping member which is movably mounted on the clamping bracket and is adapted when moved in one direction to gripsaid one end of the rod and thus lock the clamping bracket against longitudinal movement with respect to the rod and hold it in abutment with the contiguous form.

One object of the invention is to provide a rod clamp which is an improvement upon, and has certain inherent advantages over, previously designed clamps. of the same general character and is characterized by the fact that the clamping bracket and clamping member are so designed and constructed that when the clamping member is in its operative position with respect to the adjacent end of the combined tie and spreader rod the clamping bracket is positively locked to said end of the rod and hence there is no possibility whatsoever of the clamping member S1ippin in either direction relatively to the rod.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rod clamp of the type under consideration in which the clamping bracket embodies a lug with a seat for an enlargement or head on the extremity of the adjacent end of the combined tie and spreader rod and the clamping member is in the form of a block which when shifted or moved into its operative position firmly retains the head in the seat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rod clamp of the last mentioned character in which the block constituting the clamping memher is movably mounted by way of a screw which extends transversely through one of the side walls of the clamping bracket and has its inner end connected to the block by a swivel type connection and its outer end provided with a finger piece whereby it may be readily turned in order to effect shift of the block into and out of its operative position with respect to the adjacent end of the rod.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a rod clamp which is generally of new and improved construction, eiiectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and is additionally characterized by the fact that it may be manufactured or produced at a low cost and also as sembled and dismantled with facility.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present rod clamp will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of a pair of upstanding, laterally spaced wall forming forms with a combined tie and spreader rod therebetween and a clamp embodying the invention applied to one end of the rod;

Figures 2 and 3 are horizontal sections taken respectively on the lines 22 and 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective of the clamp illustrating in detail the construction, design and mode of operation of the clamping bracket and the block type clamping member;

Figure 5 is a vertical section showing the manner in which the block constituting the clamping member operates when in its operative position to grip the adjacent end of the combined tie and spreader rod and hold the head at the extremity of said adjacent end of the rod in its seat in the lug on the clamping bracket;

Figure 6 is a horizontal or transverse section on the line 5-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective of the seat equipped lug of the clamping bracket; and

Figure 8 is a perspective of the block type clamping member.

The clamp which is shown in the drawing constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention and is of the so-called rod variety. It comprises a clamping bracket 9 and a clamping member IE3 and is illustrated in connection with a combined tie and spreader rod R and a pair of upstanding wall forming forms F and F 'The forms are disposed in laterally spaced relation and are adapted to have concrete poured therebetween for wall forming purposes. The rod R extends horizontally across the space between the two forms and together with the clamp serves to prevent separation of the forms during pouring of the concrete. As well understood in the art the forms are removed after hardening or setting of the concrete. The form F comprises a comparatively thin flat panel 1 and an exteriorly disposed reinforcing beam or stud f Such stud extends vertically and is suitably secured to the outer face of the panel 1. One end of the combined tie and spreader rod R extends through the form F and is anchored to the latter in any suitable manner. The other end of the rod extends through registering holes in the panel f and the stud f constituting the form F. The outer extremity of the end of the combined tie and spreader rod R that projects through the holes in the panel 1 and the stud f projects a slight distance beyond the outer face of the stud and is provided with a ball shaped enlargement or head r. The registering holes in the panel and reenforcing beam are of sufiicient diameter to permit the head r to pass therethrough in connection with assembly of the combined tie and spreader rod R with respect to the form F.

The clamping bracket 9 is preferably formed of cast metal. It is vertically elongated and embodies an inner wall II, a pair of side walls I2 and I3, a pair of cross webs I4 and a lug I5. The inner wall II is adapted to fit flatly against the outer face of the stud of the form F and has holes I6 extending through its ends. Attaching devices I! in the form of nails or screws extend through the holes I6 and into the stud f and serve to secure the clamping bracket 9 in place. The central portion of the inner wall II is provided with a horizontally elongated aperture I8 which is adapted to receive that portion of the outer extremity of the combined tie and spreader rod R that projects beyond the outer face of the stud J. The height of the aperture I8 is slightly greater than the diameter of the head in order to permit the head readily to pass therethrough. As best shownin Figure 5, one end of the aperture I8 terminates adjacent the central portion of the inner wall I I and the other end terminates adjacent the central portion of the side wall I2. The length of the aperture I8 is such that the enlargement equipped end of the rod is free to move laterally to a limited extent with respect to the clamping bracket 9. The side walls I2 and I3 of the clamping bracket are connected to, and project outwards from, the side margins of the inner wall I I and are preferably tapered at their ends. The central portion of the side wall I2 is provided with a laterally extending enlargement I9 which projects away from the side wall I3. The cross webs I4 are positioned one above and one below the aperture I8 and have their inner margins joined to the inner wall II. They are disposed in parallel relation and have the ends thereof joined to the central portions of the walls I2 and I3. Preferably the inner wall and the side walls, and the cross webs are formed integrally. I The lug I is block-like so far as contour or configuration is concerned and coacts with the clamping member ID to lock the clamping bracket 9 to the adjacent end of the combined tie and spreader rod R. It is located in the space between the cross webs I4 and the central portions of the side walls I2 and I3 of the clamping bracket and is preferably formed of cast metal. The outer side face of the lug fits against, and is welded to, the central portion of the side wall I3 and the end faces of the lug fit against, and.

are welded to, the inner faces of the cross webs M. The inner side face of the lug is spaced inwards from the central portion of the side wall I2. It is substantially aligned with the adjacent end of the aperture I8 in the inner wall I I of the clamping bracket and has a horizontal groove 28. The latter is semicircular in cross section, as shown in Figures 5 and '7, and is shaped snugly to receive the portion of the combined tie and spreader rod R that is directly inwards of the head 1". The lug I5 is provided on the central inner portion of the front face thereof with an integral protuberance 2| and this is shaped to define a hemispherical seat 22 which opens onto the outer end of the groove 20 and is adapted to receive the head 1' on the combined tie and spreader rod R. When the head 1 is mounted or seated in the seat 22, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the protuberance 2| serves to prevent outward longitudinal movement of the rod R relatively to the clamping bracket 9 and the portion of the front face of the lug that faces the seat 712 serves to prevent inward longitudinal movement of the rod relatively to the clamping bracket. In assembling the form F with respect to the combined tie and spreader rod R the form is first positioned in an upstanding manner. Thereafter the combined tie'and spreader rod R is manipulated so that the head equipped end thereof extends through the registering holes in the panel 1 and stud f and also extends through the aperture is in the inner wall II' of the clamping bracket 9. After the rod is so manipulated it is shifted longitudinally until the head 1' is laterally aligned with the hemispherical seat 22. As soon as the rod is so shifted the head equipped end is shifted laterally in the direction of the side Wall I3 in order to bring the head 1 into the seat 22 and the portion of the rod that is directly inwards of the head into seated relation with the horizontal groove 20 in the inner side face of the lug. As best shown in Figure 7 the upper and lower rear corners of the lug I5 are cut away to provide a pair of horizontal slideways 23.

The clamping member ID consists of a vertical- 1y elongated cast metal block 24 which is mounted for horizontal sliding movement between the inner side face of the lug I5 and the central portion of the side wall I2 of the clamping bracket 9. As shown in Figure 7, the block 24 constituting the clamping member is substantially the same in depth as the lug and embodies a pair of vertically spaced horizontally extending legs 25. The latter fit slidably in the slideways 23 in the lug and form sliding connections therewith whereby the block is guided for horizontal sliding movement in a rectilinear path. The face of the block 24 that is in opposed relation with the innerside face of the lug I5 having the horizontal groove 20, is provided with a complemental horizontally extending groove 26 and this is semicircular in cross section and is adapted when the block is moved horizontally toward the lug, to receive the portion of the rod R that is directly inwards of the head 1'. A horizontally ex tending screw 21 serves as a supporting instrumentality for the block 24 and also as a medium for shifting the block to and from the lug I5 into and out of ,clamped relation with respect to the head equipped end of the rod. The central portion of the screw 21 extends through a horizontal bore 28 which is formed in the central portion of the enlargement I9 and has a female screw thread for the male or external screw thread of the screw. The inner end of the screw 21 is provided, with a spherical or ball shaped stem 29 which fits in a correspondingly shaped socket 30 in the central outer side portion of the block 24 and forms a swivel type connection between the inner end of the screw and the block. When the screw is turned so that it feeds inwards it shifts the block 24 towards the lug l and causes the head equipped end of the rod to be clamped between the block and said lug. It also causes the head 1' of the rod to be locked in the hemi spherical seat 22 and thus results in the clamping bracket 9 being positively retained against longitudinal movement with respect to the rod. Reverse turning of the screw 27 causes the block 24 to be shifted away from the lug l5 and thus releases the head equipped end of the combined tie and spreader rod R. A wing type finger piece 3| is fixedly connected to the outer end of the screw 21 and serves as a medium for permitting the screw to be readily turned in connection with inward and outward feed thereof relatively to the lug 15.

When it is desired to use the clamp the head equipped end of the rod B, after positioning of the form F is shifted laterally so as to bring the head r into the seat 22 and the portion of the rod that is directly inwards of the head into seated relation with the groove 20 in the enlargement l6, as previously pointed out. Thereafter the screw 21 is turned so as to feed it inwards relatively to the enlargement l9. Inward feed of the screw causes the block 2 3 constituting the clamping member In to move towards the lug l5 and results in clamping of the head equipped end of the rod in the grooves 20 and 26. When the block 24 is shifted inwards to its fullest extent the head equipped endof the rod is positively locked in place with the result that the clamping bracket 9 is effectively held against longitudinal displacement with respect to the rod and the form F is retained in fixed relation with the form F When it is desired to release the clamp after hardening of the concrete that is poured between the two forms the screw 2'! is reversely turned or rotated so as to shift the block 24 away from the lug l5. As soon as the block is shifted away from the lug the head equipped end of the rod is released and hence may be shifted laterally out of its seated relation with the groove 20 and the seat 22. When such end of the rod is shifted laterally after release the form F may be removed by shifting it horizontally away from the concrete wall resulting from pouring of concrete between the two forms.

The improved clamp effectively and emciently fulfills its intended purpose and may be assembled and dismantled with respect to the head equipped end of the rod with facility. It is esentially simple in design and construction and hence may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost. By reason of the fact that the clamp when in its operative position is positively locked to the head equipped end of the rod there can be no slippage whatsoever of the clamping bracket 9 and the form Fiwith respect to the rod. The clamp is adapted or designed to be used with like clamps and combined tie and spreader rods in holding the two forms against separation during a concrete pouring operation. Whereas only a single clamp has been described it is to be understood that in practice a like or similar clamp may be used on the end of the rod R that projects through the form F (se Figure 1). By reason of the fact that the clamping bracket and the form F are positively locked to the rod R when the clamping member ID is slid or shifted inwards by the screw 2! it is unnecessary to provide the rod with a washer or other stop means at a point directly inwards of the inner face of the panel 7 of the form F. By eliminating the necessity of employing a washer or other stop means on the combined tie and spreader rod the registering holes in the panel 1 and the stud may be made of reduced or minimum diameter with the result that there is but an extremely small'arnount of leakage of concrete through the holes.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the. details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a form and provided with a head on the outer extremity of its projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket designed to be located outwards of the form and adjacent said projecting end of the rod and embodying a wall and also means disposed at one side of the wall and forming a laterally extending seat for the head, and a clamping member adjacent the seat carried by the bracket so that it is movable to and from the seat forming means and adapted when moved toward said means while the head is seated in the seat to lock said head in place and thus retain the clamping bracket in connected relation with the rod.

2. A clamp adapted to be applied to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a form and provided with a head on the outer extremity of its projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying a wall with means for attaching it to the outer face of the form and also embodying means disposed at one side of the wall and forming a laterally extending seat for the head, and a clamping member adjacent the seat carried by the bracket so that it is movable to and from the seat forming means and adapted when moved towards the last mentioned means while the head is seated in the seat to lock said head in place and thus retain the clamping bracket in connected relation with the rod.

3. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end projecting through and beyond a form and provided with an enlarged head on the outer extremity of its projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying a wall provided with means for attaching it to the outer face of the form and having an aperture therein for receiving said projecting end of the rod, and also embodying means disposed outwards of the wall and forming a laterally extending seat for the head, and a clamping member adjacent the seat carried by the bracket so that it is movable to and from the seat forming means and adapted when moved towards the last mentioned means while the head is seated in the seat to lock said head in place and thus retain the clamping bracket in connected relation with the rod.

4. A clamp adapted to be applied to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond form and provided with an enlarged head on the outer eX- tremity of its projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying a fiat'inner form engaging wall with an aperture therein for receiving said projecting end of the rod and also embodying means disposed outwards of the inner wall and forming a laterally extending head re ceiving seat in spaced relation with said inner wall, and a block type clamping member between the seat and the inner wall carried by the clamping bracket so that it is shiftable laterally towards and away from the seat and adapted when shifted towards the seat while the head is seated therein to engage the portion of the rod directly inwards of the head and thus hold said head in the seat and maintain the clamping bracket in connected relation with the rod.

5. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a form, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying a flat inner form engaging wall with an aperture therein for accommodating said projecting end of the rod and also embodying a fixed lug disposed outwards of the wall and adjacent the aperture and provided at one side thereof with a groove longitudinally aligned with said aperture adapted to receive the projecting end of the rod, and a block type clamping member in opposed relation with the lug carried by the bracket so that it is movable to and from the groove, and adapted when moved toward the groove while the projecting end of the rod is disposed therein to clamp said projecting end of the rod in place and thus retain the clamping bracket in connected relation with the rod.

6. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a form and provided with an enlarged head on the outer extremity of its projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying an inner form engaging wall with an aperture therein for accommodating said projecting end of the rod, a lug disposed outwards of the wall and adjacent the aperture and provided with an elongated groove in alignment with said aperture, and means positioned outwards of the lug and defining a seat at the outer end of the groove for the head on the rod, and a block type clamping member in pposed relation with the lug carried by the clamping member so that it is movable to and from the groove and adapted when moved towards the groove while the projecting end of the rod is disposed therein and the head is seated in the seat to engage the portion of the rod directly inwards of the head and thus maintain the clamping bracket and rod in connected relation.

7. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a form and provided with an enlarged head on the outer extremity of its projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying a wall provided with means for attaching it to the outer face of the form and having an aperture therein for receiving said projecting end of the rod, and also embodying means disposed outwards of the wall and forming a laterally extending seat for the head, a clamping member adjacent the seat movable to and from the seat forming means and adapted when moved towards the last mentioned means while the head is seated in the seat to lock said head in place and thus retain the clamping bracket in connected relation with the rod, and means in the form of a screw on the clamping bracket for moving and exerting pressure on said clamping member.

8. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a wall forming form, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying an inner form engaging wall with an aperture in its central portion for accommodating said projecting end of the rod, an outwardly extending side wall along one margin of the inner wall, and a lug disposed adjacent another margin of the inner wall and in opposed relation with the side wall and provided on the inner portion thereof with an elongated groove in alignment with said aperture for receiving the projecting end of the rod, a block type clamping member between the side wall and the lug disposed and movable between said side wall and lug and adapted when moved towards the lug while the projecting end of the rod is disposed in the groove to clamp said projecting end of the rod in place and thus retain the clamping bracket in connected relation with the rod, and means for moving and exerting pressure on the clamping member consisting of a screw extending through a transversely extending threaded bore in said side wall and having its inner end connected by a swivel type connection to the clamping member.

9. A clamp to be applied to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a wall forming form and provided with an enlarged head on the extremity of the projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying an inner form engaging wall with an aperture in its central portion for accommodating said projecting end of the rod, an outwardly extending side wall along one margin of the inner wall, and a lug disposed adjacent one of the other margins of the inner wall and in opposed spaced relation with the side wall having on the inner side face thereof an elongated groove in alignment with said aperture for receiving said projecting end of the rod and also having on its front face means defining a seat at the outer end of the groove for the head on the rod, and a clamping member disposed and movable between said side wall and lug and adapted when moved towards the lug while the projecting end of the rod is disposed in the groove and the head is seated in the seat to hold said projecting end of the rod in place and thus maintain the clamping bracket and rod in connected relation.

10. A clamp to be applied to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a wall forming form and provided with an enlarged head on the extremity of the projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying an inner form engaging wall with an aperture in its central portion for accommodating said projecting end of the rod, an outwardly extending side wall along one margin of the inner wall, and a lug disposed adjacent one of the other margins ofv the inner wall and in opposed spaced relation with the side wall having on the inner side face thereof an elongated groove in alignment with said aperture for receiving said projecting end of the rod and also having on its front face means defining a seat at the outer end of the groove for the head on the rod, and a block type clamping member disposed and movable between said side wall and said lug, having on the inner side face thereof an elongated groove in alignment with the groove in the lug for receiving said projecting end of the rod, and adapted when moved towards the lug while the projecting end of the rod is dis posed in the groove of the lug and the head is seated in the seat to engage the portion of the rod directly inwards of said head and thus maintain the clamping bracket and rod in connected relation.

11. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a wall forming form and provided with an enlarged head on the extremity of its projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying an inner form engaging wall with an aperture on its central portion for accommodating said projecting end of the rod, an outwardly extending side wall along one margin of the inner wall, and a lu disposed adjacent one of the other margins of the inner wall and in opposed spaced apart relation with the side wall and having on the inner side face thereof an elongated groove in alignment with said aperture for receiving the pro- J'ecting end of the front face means defining a seat at the outer end of the groove for the head on the rod, a block type clamping member disposed and movable between the side wall and said lug and adapted when moved towards the lug while the projecting end of the rod is disposed in the groove and the head is seated in the seat to engage the portion of the rod directly inwards of said head and thus maintain the clamping bracket and rod in connected relation, and means for moving the clamping member towards and away from the lug consisting of a screw extending through a transversely extending threaded hole in the side wall of the clamping bracket.

12. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a form and provided with an enlarged head on the outer extremity of its projecting end, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying'a flat inner form engaging wall having an aperture in its central portion for accommodating said projecting end of the rod, a pair of laterally spaced side walls connected to, and extending outwards from, certain margins of the inner wall, an outwardly projecting laterally disposed enlargement on the central portion of one of the side walls, and a lug connected to, and extending inwardly from,

the central portion of the other side wall and provided on the inner side face thereof with an elongated groove in alignment with the aperture for receiving the projecting end of the rod, and also provided on its front face with means defining a seat at the outer end of the groove for the head on the rod, a block type clamping member rod and also having on its disposed and movable between said one side wall and the lug and adapted when moved towards the lug while the projecting end of the rod is disposed in the groove and the head is seated in the seat to engage the portion of the rod directly inwards of the head and thus maintain said pro- J'ecting end of the rod in place and hold the clamping bracket and rod in connected relation, and means for moving and exerting pressure on the clamping member consisting of a screw extending through a transversely extending threaded bore in said enlargement and having the inner end thereof connected by a swivel type connection to said clamping member.

13. A clamp adapted for application to a combined tie and spreader rod having one end thereof projecting through and beyond a wall forming form, and comprising a clamping bracket embodying a flat inner form engaging wall with an aperture therein for accommodating said projecting end of the rod, and also embodying a lug disposed outwards of the wall and adjacent the aperture, provided in the inner side face thereof with a groove in alignment with said aperture for receiving the projecting end of the rod, and having a pair of spaced apart parallel slideways in the portion thereof that is adjacent the form engaging wall, and a block type clamping member in opposed relation with said inner side face of the lug having a pair of transverse spaced apart legs fitting slidably in said slideways and forming therewith a slide type connection for permitting the member to slide to and from the lug, and adapted when slid towards the lug while the projecting end of the rod is disposed in the groove to clamp said projecting end of the rod in place and thus retain the clamping bracket in connected relation with the rod.

14. As a new article of manufacture, a device designed for use with a wall forming form with a hole therethrough, and comprising a combined tie and spreader rod adapted to have one end thereof project through and beyond the hole in the form, provided with an enlargement on the outer extremity of its projecting end, and having the part thereof that is adjacent the inner end of the hole provided with a smooth or uninterrupted contour free from encumbrances and of less width than said hole, and a clamp provided with means for attachment to the outer face of the form and having releasable means thereon constructed, arranged and adapted to grip the enlargement in such manner as positively to lock the clamp against longitudinal displacement in either direction relatively to the rod.

ARTHUR H. SYMONS. 

